About $6 million in federal funds landed at Glacier International Airport last week and will be used for the ongoing renovation and expansion project.

The money will be used to expand shared gates to reduce delays, accommodate more passengers and expand flight operations, the office of U.S. Senator Jon Tester said.

According to airport director Rob Ratkowski, the project is scheduled to be completed in early summer 2026.

The final installment was awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program, a supplemental grant program funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

“At a time when more and more people are discovering all that Flathead has to offer, it is more important than ever that we make meaningful investments to meet growing demand and ensure Montanans can see their families and friends, go about their businesses and stay connected with the rest of the country,” Tester said in a statement.

Tester, a Democrat, was a prominent sponsor of the bill before President Joe Biden signed it in 2021.

The airport received $2.8 million in late July and another $6 million in March. According to a recent memo from Tester’s office, $19 million has been allocated since the passage of the $1 trillion infrastructure bill, and that number will continue to rise.

Jack Underhill can be reached at 758-4407 or [email protected].